Algoma Deanery Update Week of Sept. 17

So, we’re still in the midst of raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste Marie & District. It’s not too late to be involved in this worthy cause. If you’d like to contribute, put out a jar on Sunday and then either write a cheque for our deanery treasurer or drop off the money for me at the Synod Office (if you’re in town). If you need more information, please contact me at algomadeanery@gmail.com.

Thursday, September 20th (and every Thursday until spring) is the White Elephant at Holy Trinity, SSM, 10:30 – 1:00; 352 Northern Avenue at Great Northern Road.

If you know of any other September events coming up, please send me the information (using the email listed above) so that I can post it.

Also, here is the Fall Newsletter from St. Luke’s Cathedral if you’re interested in having a look: Acts of St. Luke

For Your Devotions:

Tuesday, September 18th is the memorial of the Founders, Benefactors, and Missionaries of the Anglican Church of Canada. This is a really broad category and so I’ve decided to focus on the Diocese of Algoma and have provided the link to our history written by The Venerable Dr. Harry Huskins. I was surprised to learn that it wasn’t until 1956 that our diocese became self-supporting. According to the article, Algoma was originally intended to be the missionary diocese of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada and thus its financial support was supposed to come from these dioceses. The support was inadequate and so our diocese remained dependant on fund-raising in England. For more info: http://dioceseofalgoma.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content&PageID=1016&PageCategory=13

Wednesday, September 19th is the commemoration of Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury who died in 690. Theodore is best known for organizing the church in England and establishing a school in Canterbury. He was the surprise fill-in for the elected Archbishop who died before he could be consecrated. Theodore was actually a monk, not a priest, at the time, but he turned out to be great choice – he was energetic and enterprising, leaving behind a long list of accomplishments. Theodore lived to be 88 years old – quite the feat in those days. For more info: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/250.html

Thursday, September 20th is the commemoration of John Coleridge Patteson, Bishop of Melanesia martyred in 1871. His ‘companions’ who were martyred with him are also remembered today. This was a sad case of mistaken identity. To find out what I mean (and to learn more about this dedicated missionary), go here: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/55.html

Friday, September 21st is the Holy Day of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist. Matthew, generally thought to be a tax collector, was, in the opinion of the many other Jews, one of Jesus’ questionable companions – tax collectors were seen as corrupt betrayers of the Jewish people working for the Romans. Being a tax collector earned him the designation of ‘patron saint of bankers’ in the Roman Catholic Church. Although his name is attached to one of the Gospels, scholars don’t believe it likely that he actually was the author. Attributing authorship to a well-known individual to give authority to a piece of writing was quite a common thing to do at that time. Tradition says Matthew died about 90 A.D but legends don’t agree on whether he died of old age or if he was martyred. For more info: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Matthew